Chapter 419: Eastern Wisdom
''Wow!''
''These cats are amazing!''
''Are they domesticated?''
''They're so fast!''
''I only blinked for a moment…''
''Pesky birds…''
''…''
Everyone praised the agile tabby cats, and no one spoke for the birds trying to steal their labor's fruits.
Especially the druid trainees, whose eyes lit up as they watched the tabby cats hiding among the treetops.
All the knowledge and concepts they had learned instilled a simple truth:
''People come first. Anything or anyone disrupting the territory's development is unquestionably bad!''
They understood the importance of these mulberries, which were part of every Bay Territory child's diet as a source of energy and nutrition.
They were incredibly precious and couldn't be wasted.
Matthew sensed faint magical fluctuations emanating from the tabby cats and looked at them with a trace of surprise.
These ordinary cats, having left the city for the farm outposts, seemed to radiate new vitality.
Interesting!
With a hint of joy, Captain Sean pointed to the tabby cats leaping from the branches and said with a reflective tone:
''These tabby cats come from the East and have been on the East Coast for hundreds of years.''
''They're smarter and more capable than ordinary cats. Occasionally, they eat a bit of mulberries, but mostly they catch birds, saving us time and effort.''
''What's fascinating is that these little fellows know when they can eat and when they shouldn't. They're incredibly smart…''
Intelligence as high as 5 points!
How could they not be clever?
Matthew withdrew his gaze from the tabby cats, thoughtfully examining the fish ponds surrounded by mulberry trees.
Verdant lotus leaves swayed gently in the breeze.
Dewdrops perched on them, rolling like pearls of varying sizes.
Fist-sized flower buds remained tightly closed, swaying gently with the ripples on the water's surface.
Tiny fish darted through the clear water.
Occasionally, they surfaced, peeking at the outside world, only to dart back underwater in a flash.
''This was suggested by some old farmers to help the fish grow better,''
''Most of the fish fry are magical carp and grass carp,''
''They are resilient, grow quickly, and thrive well on normal food supplemented with monthly elemental fluid…''
The water reflected Captain Sean's smiling face, only to be disturbed by playful fish, creating ripples that gradually faded as they moved away.
Arriving at rows of two-story houses, Matthew observed the abundance of fruits and vegetables growing around them, deeply moved.
Truly, the instinct to plant something is ingrained in us.
Captain Sean gestured toward a row of tall, spacious houses, carefully opened a door, and signaled the workers inside trimming mulberry leaves to lower their voices.
Matthew watched the vibrant Silver Moon Silkworms nibble on the mulberry leaves, feeling an urge to take some back for breeding.
''Ah, childhood memories…''
Unlike Matthew's restraint, Yaya moved swiftly. Fascinated by the adorable Silver Moon Silkworms, she sneakily tucked a few into her adventure cabin, exclaiming:
''Wow, these little creatures eat so heartily and are so cute!''
Well, it's just mutual appreciation among fellow food lovers!
Looking at the familiar black-haired, black-eyed faces, Matthew suddenly realized:
''So, the East has left such a profound imprint here…''
Elona curiously observed the skilled farmers feeding the silkworms and recognized the Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry leaves.
''So this is why the lord chose the Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry…''
Sneaking a glance at the lord, she thought she had deciphered all his plans, but something unexpected happened.
Holding a silkworm gently, Guoguo tilted her head, studying it intently. When it tried to nibble on the Wisdom Tree, she quickly returned it.
Patting her chest, she pointed at the black specks collected by the farmers and bluntly asked:
''What are those for?''
Faced with so many curious eyes, Captain Sean chuckled, scratched his head, and answered:
''Those are Silver Moon Silkworm droppings, the favorite food of magical fish fry.''
''Mixed with some nutrients, they help the fry grow quickly.''
The druid trainees nodded thoughtfully, pleased to learn something new.
Only Elona frowned slightly, seemingly pondering the interconnections between species.
Yet it felt like a thin veil shrouded her understanding, preventing her from seeing clearly.
Perhaps sensing her confusion, the Wisdom Tree in Guoguo's hands glowed faintly, guiding Elona's gaze toward the lord.
Without hesitation, the half-elven druid asked directly:
''Lord, the Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry, paired with Silver Moon Silkworms and magical fish, indeed creates a complementary cycle.''
''But as the foundation, the Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry requires significant nutrients, which can quickly deplete the soil. How should this be addressed?''
Driven by her thirst for knowledge and the urgency of a thought surfacing in her mind, Elona forgot her usual reserve.
Matthew glanced at her thoughtfully. Facing the eager eyes of others, he smiled and beckoned them closer.
Leading everyone back to the Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry trees, he pointed to the tabby cats on the branches and the nearby fish pond before asking:
''In your understanding, where do the nutrients required by the Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry come from, and what are their components?''
Familiar with the answer, Elona replied without hesitation:
''The Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry requires ample earth element supplementation, some metal elements, and a bit of water…''
Others nodded in agreement, having prepared growth-accelerating nutrient potions for the trees.
Smiling, Matthew pointed to a large pile of sludge beneath the trees and said:
''This sludge, taken from the Misty Swamp's cyclical magical fish farming pools, serves as their initial nutrient source.''
''As for the rest, the system will take care of itself.''
Elona widened her eyes in disbelief.
The Wisdom Tree in Guoguo's hands flickered continuously, as if eager to uncover the truth.
Only Matthew remained silent, unwilling to reveal that this stemmed from ancient Eastern wisdom.